We here at MCFly Towers think that these sorts of things go better with consultation. While we are waiting for the Council to announce just what it is going to do on this question, we will be posting one “catalytic action” per day on the MCFly blog, with a brief analysis. We invite the people of Manchester (and heck, why not beyond) to comment on these. We will pass on your comments to the Council.

That's not to say the other parts of the report aren't worthy of comment too- it's just that we have to start somewhere, and here is as good a place as any...

Low carbon energy infrastructure

"The establishment of the right critical energy infrastructure is a vital step on the road to a low carbon economy. Manchester needs to bring together a demand-side analysis of current and future need for energy infrastructure with a supply-side analysis of the opportunities for low carbon energy generation. As described out in box 3.1, this is an evolving process involving many different partners; there will be a key role for the Greater Manchester Climate Change Agency in bringing coherence to that process in our City.

"Manchester City Council, with a range of partners including United Utilities, is supporting work by the AGMA Environment Commission to examine the commercial and technical feasibility of establishing a Manchester-wide Energy Services Company (ESCo). The model will supply low carbon and renewable energy on a strategic scale across Greater Manchester, making best use of the resources and environments that characterise different parts of the conurbation. This builds on a feasibility study undertaken for Manchester Knowledge Capital in 2007."

-snip-

"This work will be complemented by two other studies to be overseen by the Climate Change Agency into community heating and combined heat and power capacity, and renewable energy generation capacity.

"Subject to the outcomes of these studies, the City Council will support early efforts to establish an infrastructure strategy for renewable energy generation, distribution and use across the City and City-region. If necessary, the City Council will use its landholdings to accelerate the development of generation capacity and ensure that both the energy and the income such development – which is likely to be controversial generates is invested in local communities. However, in principle the establishment of a citywide ESCo or similar offers potentially the greatest single source of reduction in Manchester’s emissions – potentially up to a 30 per cent cut in the City’s total carbon footprint depending on uptake and the extent to which existing energy supplies are replaced

OK, in principle this seems sensible enough. I am not an energy expert, so I'd love to hear from other people on this.

A few obvious questions:

Manchester Knowledge Capital has been in possession of a feasibility study since 2007. What has that feasibility study been used for in 2008- a draught excluder?

What have other comparable cities in the UK and beyond done to encourage microgeneration? Did Beyond Green speak to WADE or Greenpeace or any other folks who've been banging on about this stuff for years? If so, what advice were they given? If not, why not?

“Subject to the outcome of these studies”: there's an interesting bit of wiggle room there. What outcomes of these studies might stop the council from proceeding?.

What exactly does the council think is going to be controversial? Are they planning to announce a Fusion Reactor in Fallowfield? An atomic pile in Ancoats? Something else? (I jest of course; one of the climate principles agreed last year explicitly ruled out nuclear. And we all know the climate principles are binding, oh yes...)

Again, by the council's own admission, these actions are going to have a low carbon reduction impact. The box on page 47 really does bear close attention- very few of these actions have immediate starts, and the ones that do were already going. And there are no quantified reductions.

We here at MCFly Towers think that these sorts of things go better with consultation. While we are waiting for the Council to announce just what it is going to do on this question, we will be posting one “catalytic action” per day on the MCFly blog, with a brief analysis. We invite the people of Manchester (and heck, why not beyond) to comment on these. We will pass on your comments to the Council.

That's not to say the other parts of the report aren't worthy of comment too- it's just that we have to start somewhere, and here is as good a place as any...

"If we in Manchester are to shape the city so that it is fit to grow a low carbon economy and reap a competitive and first-mover advantage from doing so, business will need to be in the vanguard. Indeed, through forums such as the 100 Months Club and activities like the Environmental Business Pledge, business is already playing an important role.

"Often, business action on climate change and sustainability focuses on efforts to reduce factory and office waste and energy use, source supplies more sustainably, and change employee behaviour (for example by providing incentives and facilities for walking and cycling to work). This kind of in-house action is critical, with many small steps adding up to major carbon savings if widely adopted and will be an important part of business action on climate change in the City.

"The City Council wants to understand business views on this Call to Action. We want to understand what specific interventions Manchester business would like to see to support the realisation of a low carbon economy, including supportive policy changes, for example. We would like to examine with business the potential for coordinated procurement initiatives by large organisations across the public and private sectors to create a demand-pull on environmental technologies in Manchester. We would like business input on the potential of climate change as a signature aspect of Manchester’s brand – as the Chicago Climate Exchange has increasingly become associated with Chicago’s international brand. The City Council would like to engage and support business leaders to take the lead on climate change action. These businesses will provide the lead for others to follow and will agree a number of stretching and specific common commitments and actions."

Which is all well and good. There will be an entirely predictable spectrum of responses to this. Friends of the Earth will cautiously welcome it, the Green Party will say that there should be more focus on regulation, rather than expecting niceness from companies. Beyond that, the more hardline socialists etc will call for nationalisation etc. etc

I hope the council is well informed on the potential limits to these sorts of voluntary schemes. There is a recent excellent book edited by Dr. Rory Sullivan that it would be worth their while to read. It's called “Corporate Responses to Climate Change.” You can read a review and an interview with Dr. Sullivan here.

2) There is surely a real danger that the proposed conference with an internationally recognised speaker (Al Gore more likely than James Hansen, I'd guess) for later will simply add to emissions and public cynicism that the Council is doing more talking than doing.

3) There are no direct impacts on C02 reductions from this catalytic action, by the Council's own admission! (see box on page 47 of the report)

Manchester Climate Fortnightly has reported in the past on the upcoming “Manchester Climate Change Agency.” It will cover Greater Manchester (all ten local authorities). It had initially been due to open in March, but this has been pushed back to “late summer.” Its third bulletin has just come out, and is well worth a read. (it's only 3 and a bit pages). Ah, doesn't seem to be online just yet...

They've agreed a mission statement:

The Greater Manchester Climate Change Agency (working title) is the city region's business, public and third sector partnership, contributing towards economic advantage and prosperity by:(i) delivering carbon reductions, and(ii)responding to the impacts of climate change

The MCCA will be overseen by the “Environment Commission”. [no website yet]This will next meet in February/March. The six elected members of the Environment Commission have been announced (all councillors from various local authorities). Five more will be chosen, from “business; the third sector; academia; property and development; and communications. They will be recognised figureheads within their respective sectors and have significant decision making powers and influence over environmental performance across the city region. Wherever possible, they will have strong links into other Commissions and work streams to promote inter-Commission working.”

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

The Executive of Manchester City Council- in effect the “Cabinet” of the 96 seat elected body, has recently accepted a report called the “Call to Action.”

A London-based consultancy called “Beyond Green” wrote the report, which commits the Council to nine “catalytic actions.”

These are:

World-leading neighbourhood regeneration

Retrofitting Manchester's civic heritage

A business alliance for climate change

Low carbon energy infrastructure

Low carbon communities

A climate-ready Local Development Framework

The Manchester Prize

Greening the City: i-Trees

A green airport

We here at MCFly Towers think that these sorts of things go better with consultation. While we are waiting for the Council to announce just what it is going to do on this question, we will be posting one “catalytic action” per day on the MCFly blog, with a brief analysis. We invite the people of Manchester (and heck, why not beyond) to comment on these. We will pass on your comments to the Council.

That's not to say the other parts of the report aren't worthy of comment too- it's just that we have to start somewhere, and here is as good a place as any...

So, here's part of what the report says on retrofitting the townhall...

“One clear route to reducing operational carbon emissions is through our combined purchasing power and the potential to use this both to ‘green’ our own operations efficiently and to create a base of demand for the development of new technologies and services.

“The buildings that make up the Town Hall complex are of significant historical and cultural importance to the City. However, their design and heritage present us with particular challenges in terms of energy efficiency and carbon emissions. Under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, large buildings that are occupied either by public authorities or by institutions providing public services are required to publicly display energy performance certificates.

"On the scale of A (best) to G (worst), both the Town Hall (Grade 1 listed) and Extension Building (Grade 2* listed) are rated as E.

"We are currently undertaking a study to look at the feasibility of financially viable, low carbon retrofit options for the Town Hall complex."

Presumably this is what was reported in the Manchester Evening News last Saturday (24th Jan), about the council seeking commercial property from March 2010 because of a major refurbishment...

Comments

Well, the Council DOES need to put its own house/hall in order, this is true. People always want to know if those who are preaching are also practicing, and the accusation of hypocrisy is the shortest way to end an argument...

But, again, given the Council has been banging on about climate change for a couple of years, wouldn't you have thought they'd have got to this a bit earlier? I know it sounds churlish, but surely they knew they were going to have to do this, and it would have been better to grab the nettle a little earlier? Still, we are when we are...

Interesting to know how exactly the Council plans to share the best practice they develop on this.

Monday, 26 January 2009

MCFly can exclusively reveal that Manchester City Council paid the London-based consultancy 'Beyond Green' a whopping ₤28,000 plus VAT and expenses for the 50-page Call to Action report, published last week. With VAT, this brings the total to ₤32,900 and we have no idea how much this 'eco-consultancy' has

The climate change report has been widely criticized for advocating a 'Green Airport' and has been described by local climate activists as 'very disappointing' and even 'ridiculous'. Considering the amount of money spent on it, 'ridiculous' fits the bill...

The Executive of Manchester City Council- in effect the “Cabinet” of the 96 seat elected body, has recently accepted a report called the “Call to Action.”

A London-based consultancy called “Beyond Green” wrote the report, which commits the Council to nine “catalytic actions.”

They are:

1. World-leading neighbourhood regeneration

2. Retrofitting Manchester's civic heritage

3. A business alliance for climate change

4. Low carbon energy infrastructure

5. Low carbon communities

6. A climate-ready Local Development Framework

The Manchester Prize

Greening the City: i-Trees

A green airport

We here at MCFly Towers think that these sorts of things go better with consultation. While we are waiting for the Council to announce just what it is going to do on this question, we will be posting the key bits of a “catalytic action” per day on the MCFly blog, with a brief analysis. We invite the people of Manchester (and heck, why not beyond) to comment on these. We will pass on your comments to the Council.

That's not to say the other parts of the report aren't worthy of comment too- it's just that we have to start somewhere, and here is as good a place as any...

World-leading neighbourhood regeneration

“With the help of partners, the City Council intends to identify trailblazing major regeneration neighbourhoods in which to develop internationally recognised exemplars for socially, economically and environmentally sustainable place-making.

"The sites are expected to be identified and announced in 2009. A comprehensive vision will be developed in conjunction with stakeholders and the community, following the selection of preferred development partners....”

“Behaviour change will be at the heart of the proposition. “Zero-carbon” building design can only account for a relativelysmall proportion of a person’s environmental impact; reducing total carbon footprint means encouraging people to adopt more sustainable behaviour in all aspects of their lives – such as how they move around the City and where they get their food from. ”

“The result will be sustainable communities in every sense, with a total carbon footprint among residents at least 80 per cent lower by 2025 than in 1990.”

COMMENTS:

If those goals are met, they'll be very laudable. 2025 is only 16 years away, so we'd best start NOW. However, if these sites are only going to be identified by later this year, when will the carbon savings actually start?No mention of things like BREAM, etc. No mention of the recent Manchester University report on buildings and climate mitigation

There's no clear statement of what climate resilience mechanisms will be built in. Resilience is a word that appears several times in the Call to Action, but never seems to be defined....

And isn't this something the Council has been doing, or should have been doing ANYWAY. If this is number one catalytic action, a cynic could be forgiven for thinking that the Call to Action contained lots of bits cobbled together that were already being done, or about to be done anyway, and given a dash of green paint and called a climate change action plan. They'd be wrong of course, but they could be forgiven for thinking it...

Sunday, 25 January 2009

Several members of Manchester Green Party have written a document entitled "A Green New Deal for Manchester." It was discussed at yesterday's "Convention of the Left".It has not yet been discussed by Manchester Green Party so does NOT constitute official policy.It is not the work of anyone involved in Manchester Climate Fortnightly.It is hosted here on the MCFly website for informational purposes. Posting it is not an endorsement or a rejection of the document.

Here's a taster-

A Green New Deal for Manchester

The recession is already biting hard in Manchester. Every half-finished block means dozens of construction workers laid off, every closed shop means a few more retail workers on the dole. Less obvious are the layoffs in local factories and transport centres but the queues in employment centres are growing. Meanwhile even local councils are reducing their staff under the budget reductions still being forced on them by central government. And the worst is still to come.

The Labour government, which has been complicit in making Britain desperately exposed to this global crisis, is obsessed with pouring money into the banks to shore up their bad, possibly criminal, activities yet cannot take the obvious step of their full nationalisation. It talks at times of protecting those suffering most by investing directly in job protection but does little in the way of action. At the same time, it has managed to blast a hole in its ‘green’ responsibilities by allowing BAA to build a third runway at Heathrow, something which cannot possibly be justified even as an anti-recession measure as it cannot begin construction for years─if at all.

Sunday, 18 January 2009

In previous MCFly's we've reported on Manchester University's search for what we labelled - in a foaming fit of terrible tabloid alliteration as a "Green Guru." Dr Jeremy Carter was appointed to the position, and has kindly answered our questions, which we post here in their entirity.

He began with a preface:"I should point out that the research fellowship to which I was appointed only accounts for 40% of my working time. The other 60% relates to an EU climate change adaptation project and a study for the Environment Agency on future challenges for the Northwest's water environment, with climate change nevertheless featuring prominently. My answers relate to the research fellowship, which is part of a initiative known as Eco Cities. I have combined answers to some your questions, and have focused on the ones that relate to the project and the issues to which it relates."

In a nutshell, what have you been asked to do?The Eco Cities project aims to create a strategy to help Manchester adapt to climate change. Previous research undertaken at the University has demonstrated that climate change is likely to have a significant impact on the city. For example, temperatures may increase by up to 5ºC by the end of this century. Rainfall patterns are also set to change with winters becoming wetter (with up to 30% more rainfall) and summers drier (with up to 60% less rainfall). These changes will have a wide range of impacts such as greater risk of flooding and increased incidence of heat waves.

The project will aim to increase our understanding of how these changes will affect the city, and will also consider how we may best respond to increase our resilience and reduce our vulnerability to these impacts. Initially, we will be looking at past climate events and their impacts in the city-region to give an indication of the impacts which might be expected in the future, albeit with greater frequency and intensity. We will also be developing links with key individuals and organisations who have the potential to contribute to the adaptation strategy. Indeed, in order to enhance the utility of the adaptation strategy, we will need to work with key stakeholders who influence the development and use of land in the city.

How does this job fit in with the other work the University is doing on Climate Change?Climate change adaptation is a key theme running through research being undertaken at the School of Environment and Development. Recently completed and ongoing projects address topics such as how urban environments can be better adapted to climate change and the urban heat island effect. The Eco Cities project will build on this work.

Are there "easy wins" that can be made on Climate Change adaptation in the North West? If so, what are they?Green infrastructure (trees, gardens, green roofs, parks etc.) has a crucial role to play in adapting to climate change. For example, green spaces reduce the volume of run-off water reaching rivers lessening flood risk. With the threat of more heat waves, particularly in urban centres, the role that plants and trees can play in moderating temperatures is also vitally important. Increasing the amount of green infrastructure in our towns and cities, both around new and existing developments, would certainly help the adaptation cause.

Aside from climate change adaptation, green infrastructure provides a wide range of other benefits such as providing space for recreation (with knock-on health benefits), enhancing biodiversity and even increasing foot-fall into shops. It is important to begin to see green spaces as ‘critical infrastructure’ along the same lines as water, energy and transport infrastructure. They should be protected and enhanced wherever possible.

What's the best popular book you've read on Climate Change?

In the interest of picking something that everyone can access, I am actually going to choose a recent article written by James Hansen in which he sets out the climate change issues that Barack Obama is going to have face during his presidency.

What would you like to see campaigning/community/ voluntary groups doing on Climate Change in Manchester?We need to collectively raise awareness of and argue for increased attention and action on climate change adaptation. Recent research from the Tyndall Centre (reported in the Guardian at http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/dec/09/poznan-copenhagen-global-warming-targets-climate-change) highlights that keeping temperatures to less than 2ºC above pre-industrial levels is going to be a difficult task indeed. Lack of action to reduce emissions levels is committing us to an increase in frequency and intensity of impacts related to climate change such as floods, droughts and heat waves. We need to take steps to adapt to these impacts.

Thursday, 15 January 2009

The 2003 White Paper was basically written by the aviation industry and sent over to the Department for Transport for mastheading and distribution. “Freedom to Fly” was a beautiful framing device, making it a question of liberty versus restriction, rather than indulgence versus survival.

And I intellectually knew most unions would be on board. After all, I suggested the theme for this cartoon by the absurdly prolific and sharp Marc Roberts.

But before reading my FT, I read my Morning Star, and it had a piece on...

"Airport workers addressed MPs at Westminster yesterday to "set the record straight" about Heathrow expansion. Workers from Heathrow and other British airports took the case for a third runwayto Parliament, concerned that the latest governmetn delay on approvignt he scheme was putting jobs and development at risk."

Workers of the World, Unite, you have nothing to lose but a habitable planet for your children.

And I am sad that the notion of a Just Transition hasn't gotten more traction, but I'm not surprised given the general cackhandedness and downright weirdness of many climate activists.

And I am sad to think that the Campaign against Climate Change Trades Union thing is wasting its breath.

And I am sad that Heathrow wasn't stopped before it got this far because now there the heroic eco-warriors are going to have to fight on at least three fronts- Airports, Coal and Copenhagen.

And I am sad to think that Manchester is so ill-served by the Manchester Evening News.

Yesterday the Council announced its climate plans. Today the MEN's front page splash was... wait for it...

“Drunk in charge of a stolen Asda scooter! Woman is banned from driving after trying to travel 10 miles home on a 2.4mph mobility buggy."

I. Shit. You. Not.

Nothing I could see in my paper edition on the climate plans (such as they are.) but on page 16 we have “Light fading fast in search for last 100-watt bulbs.”

I just checked their website, which I refuse to link to on principle.

They haven't even reported the Council's plans. And they call themselves a newspaper? They're having a bloody laugh.

The below was sent to Mancheste Climate Fortnightly.Rose Cottage is a very old building that Manchester Airports Group would like to demolish to make way for a big warehouse.There was supposed to be a decision made at a Council meeting tonight (15/1/09),but now isn't.

The decision about Rose Cottage has been delayed for the following reason.The information English Heritage (EH) wanted from the Airport's agents, White Young Green (WYG),has not been sent over.WYG were supposed to supply EH with either plans that incorporate Rose Cottage within thedevelopment (which they have resisted) OR information over WHY they cannot incorporate RoseCottage within the development.

It's very important that WYG gets this right due to PPG15 - the most important bits being:

...The Secretaries of State would not expect listed building consent to be granted for demolitionunless the authority is satisfied that real efforts have been made without success to continue the presentuse or to find compatible alternative uses for the building......There may very exceptionally be cases where the proposed works would bring substantial benefitsfor the community which have to be weighed against the arguments in favour of preservation. Even here,it will often be feasible to incorporate listed buildings within new development, and this option should becarefully considered: the challenge presented by retaining listed buildings can be a stimulus to imaginativenew design to accommodate them...

What this delay means

Manchester Airport Group (MAG), are NOT sympathetic to the EH's suggested compromise, andEH left the recent meeting with MAG with the feeling they would get reasons why the compromisecould not be reached. They said if that's the case, they would continue to oppose the plans.

If WYG are writing up the reasons why they can't compromise, then they have to make sure theyare very good reasons, as stated above: "unless the authority is satisfied that real efforts have beenmade without success to continue the present use or to find compatible alternative uses for the building... "

And those are the key words: "REAL EFFORTS". If WYG cannot demonstrate that they have putin enough "REAL EFFORT" to incorporate, and we can demonstrate this at the hearing, then underPPG15 they should (in theory) refuse.

If on the other hand, this delay is because WYG can't find feasible reasons why they can't incorporateRose Cottage into the design, then they may be re-designing the whole damn thing, and this is why it'sdelayed. If this is the case then it may be more than a few weeks delayed as it would require a substantialeffort to re-draw the plans and possibly re-consult the statutory bodies (Police, GMPTE, etc).

Wednesday, 14 January 2009

The Council Executive had its monthly meeting this morning. Climate Change was one of the topics under discussion. Manchester Climate Fortnightly has previously reported on the Council's summary of the 'Call to Action'. Rather than rush to judgement, we were waiting for the nitty-gritty details and targets in the main report. Sadly we are going to be waiting a while longer. A spokesperson stated that the “Council will work with its partners and other organisations to draw up a detailed action plan to be approved later in the year...”

From the outset there were two main issue which we felt needed to be dealt with: the unspent 1 million Carbon Reduction and Innovation Fund (a story we broke in September 2008) and the so-called 'Green Airport'. Around 30 minutes were spent on discussing the report and Richard Cowell, the Executive Member for the Environment, summed up his position by stating that

“Climate change is the single biggest challenge facing the the world. It demands an international response, but the action we take in Manchester will determine whether the shift to a low-carbon society creates new opportunities for Mancunian families and businesses.”

Although this 'Call to Action' was labelled as a climate change strategy, it seems pretty clear that the council are following a strict business growth agenda. There was lots of talk of 'opportunities with economic and business advantages' and 'driving the economy forward'.

A Green Airport?

Simon Ashley, leader of the Liberal Democrats, was quick to point out that the 'Call to Action' and Manchester's climate change strategy couldn't be taken seriously with what he called a “cop-out” with regards to the airport. He went to say that although he recognised that the airport was a great economic driver, it was also a great polluter and this needs to be reconsidered. Ashley also remarked that the excuse that Manchester council couldn't take unilateral action should be dismissed and that the entire issue needs to be tackled again as “you can't give the airport a pass.”

[Ashley is part of the Advisory Panel of fifteen (six Labour and nine Liberal Democracts) which can raise issues and ask questions at Executive meetings but can't vote on the final decision.]

The chair, Sir Richard Leese, who seems recovered from his run-in with car thieves yesterday, replied that they can't legally constrain the Airport and that if the planes didn't fly out from Manchester then it would probably be from somewhere else, causing more pollution. Following this logic, extending the airport is the ONLY sensible way to stop more CO2 emissions. At a national level, it seems the Labour Government agrees with him, since all the indications at time of writing are that a third runway will be approved for Heathrow.

All said and done, the Executive stuck by their plans for a 'Green Airport' which involves the continued support for the Airport's growth whilst helping it to achieve its aim of becoming carbon neutral reduction in site energy use and vehicle fuel.

Carbon Reduction and Innovation Fund 1 MillionAgain, the issue over why no money has been spent from the Carbon Reduction and Innovation Fund over the last year and a half was raised by the Advisory Panel who stated that there was a need to “start delivering actual programmes”. The response was that the plans were in the full report which was waiting for approval, the chair nevertheless agreed that it was unacceptable.

With regards to this fund the reports says:

“The City Council intends to deploy resources from (sic) Fund to help explore options for delivering major public-private investment in energy efficiency low carbon energy infrastructure, including a possible Manchester ESCO (Energy Service Company). It is also envisaged that funding will also be made available to support a proposed Low Carbon Communities pilot and a range of other activities that demonstrate different approaches to realising the benefits of shifting to low carbon.”

The final troubling issue was the lack of clear strategy for measuring outcomes. The full report which analysed the strategies, exhaustively judged their indirect/direct impacts as 'small', 'none', 'significant' and even 'unquantifiable'. A council spokesperson noted that

"These actions will not of themselves achieve deep cuts in carbon, but they will give rise to the mainstream understanding, partnerships, vision and capacity across the city to hit the City’s target of a reduction of in excess of a million tonnes while securing economic and other advantage, and to be ahead of the curve.”

The event had been announced quite sometime ago, and was not a "flashmob" or unannounced action like the October 2007 "arm-tube" blockage of a domestic departures lounge by a group of Manchester Climate Action/Plane Stupid activists.

In Manchester there were approximately 40 people sitting down (the BBC said 50, but they're not noted for their focus on facts when it comes to climate change), there were at least 70 officers of Her Majesty's Greater Manchester Constabulary, kindly facilitating the protest. There were also a fair sprinkly of Manchester Airport management in attendance. There were picnic hampers, dancing and general merriment.

The event was hosted in the most out-of-the-way part of the Departure Lounge that could be found, away from curious travellers' eyes. Entry was by ticket only- the GMP had kindly volunteered to act as door staff, and took an extraordinary number of photos as mementos.

It lasted an hour or so, with the advertised string quartet making a welcome appearance.

There was one arrest. MCFly's reporter was not there to witness that, but is reliably informed that the individual in question had to make very very strenuous efforts in order to be detained.

Sunday, 11 January 2009

Green Guru Dr Jeremy Carter has been appointed to provide academic leadership in the latest European initiative, titled Green and Blue Space Adaptation or GRaBS, which will help ten cities adapt to the effects of climate change.

The project will raise awareness amongst the local and regional authorities about which neighbourhoods are at risk, the main dangers they face and ways to respond to them. Carter remarked that “The differences between those cities which choose to adapt and those who do not will be stark.”

[Dr Carter has kindly done an email interview with MCFly, which will be posted very soon.]

A Transition's Gonna Come?The Transition Movement has sprung up to equip communities to tackle the twin problems of peak oil and climate change. On Weds Jan 21 SERA is hosting a meeting at the Town Hall about a possible "Transition City Manchester" project. A transition project for Hulme recently folded. See also www.transitiontowns.org, and a critique of the concept here: www.trapese.org

Greens want Mancunian Green New DealThe Green Party has launched its campaign for the West Didsbury by-election with a call for a "Green New Deal" to tackle the major issues of climate change and recession. Proposals include supporting cheap, regular public transport, improved parking within the area as well as protecting local public space such as Marie Louise Gardens.

Housing has also been highlighted as an important issue and Greens want the Council to purchase private houses which stand empty to help tackle the 30,000 waiting list for social housing. Geoff Evans, the Green Party candidate, remarked that “we are now missing a golden opportunity to fight recession by creating jobs, build a 1st class public transport system and help the fight against climate change.” See www.manchestergreenparty.org.uk

On Wednesday 14 January Manchester City Council will discuss its next steps in dealing with Climate Change. A report entitled “A Call to Action” is expected to be approved by the Executive (the 10 member group that is in effect the 'Cabinet'). The report was prepared by the environmental consultancy “Beyond Green”. Council officers would not disclose how much Beyond Green has been paid to produce the document. The report, the Executive Summary of which can be seen here aims to “set out a new way of thinking” by focussing on “the advantages Manchester could realise through early, decisive action to tackle and adapt to climate change and shift to a low carbon economy.” It proposes "a programme of immediate action to demonstrate across different facets of city life” on “how we can cut our carbon footprint and at the same time sustain and increase prosperity and quality of life for Manchester residents.”

Background: In February 2008, Manchester City Council approved its "Climate Change Principles" With a headline of "a million tonnes a year less carbon dioxide by 2020", it laid out 17 principles under which it would act and three areas in which savings would be made. The Principles Document also promised a Climate Strategy would be released in 2008, and there would be six months of consultation on it. This, as even casual observers will be aware, simply did not happen. No announcement was made, but following questioning, the Council did admit this, as reported in MCFly 3. July 21 2008. Since that document's release, AGMA has released the Mini-Stern (MCFly 2 and 3). Central Government has passed the Climate Change Act and created the Department for Energy and Climate Change. Internationally, climate negotiations towards a “new Kyoto” have moved at the pace of a particularly arthritic snail.

Analysis: Until the complete report is released, we must “wait and see.” Making snap judgements on the basis of an Executive Summary would be foolish. But, rushing in where angels fear to tread, MCFly notes that; the Principles Document was heavy on numbers and targets while the Call to Action is light, there is no mention of cycling, or food production. Crucially, the Principles Document promised 6 months of consultation, whereas this envisages “awareness raising and engagement,” a very different beast....Ultimately, the Council will be judged not on its words, but its actions, in driving down Manchester's carbon emissions and preparing sensibly for the dramatic changes that will unfold over the coming decades.

Community awareness raising and engagement through the “Proud Of” campaign.

Engagement through implementation of the proposed ‘catalytic’ actions

Late 2009: Final Manchester climate change action plan published

More information: MCFly will blog about this on Wednesday 14th, after the Executive Meeting. We will link through to the main report, and get opinions and analysis from groups and individuals.Cllr Richard Cowell will be speaking at the “Climate Change: Global and Local” event on Tuesday 10 February at the Friends Meeting House .

Wednesday, 7 January 2009

ContextIn February 2008, Manchester City Council approved its "Climate Change Principles." With a headline of "a million tonnes a year less carbon dioxide by 2020", it laid out 17 principles under which it would act and three areas in which savings would be made.

The Principles Document also promised a Climate Strategy would be released in 2008, and there would be six months of consultation on it.

Now, the Council Executive, made up of 10 members (all Labour Party) out of the full council of 96 councillors, will meet on Wednesday January 14th. There are other items on the agenda, of course, but it is being asked to approve a "Call to Action." on climate change. The 13 page executive summary of the report has been released, and can be downloaded here.

MCFly will release a more detailed report of this document tomorrow, but for now the following snippets from the document will suffice.They are, in order of appearance (drum roll please)1) the recommendations to the council,2) the aims of the full report,3) the proposed timetable for action in 2009and- put last to keep you reading through to the end-4)the Inevitable Controversial Bit About The Airport.

1) Members of the Executive are being asked to

1. Approve the Climate Change Call to Action and the implementation of the ‘catalytic actions’ set out in this report. 2. Support the engagement of residents, businesses and stakeholder organisations in wide ranging debates and actions to create a framework and level of support for the Climate Change Action Plan. 3. Ask Officers to report on this Action Plan later in 2009, which will incorporate a full route-map to achieving a reduction in Manchester’s carbon emissions of over one million tonnes a year by 2020. 4. Approve the establishment of an Environmental Strategy Programme Board chaired by the Chief Executive to oversee the work programmes and the development of a clear funding strategy.

2) It is claimed that the full report, (which will be available on Wednesday January 14th),

Sets out a new way of thinking, grounded in Manchester’s Community Strategy, which focuses on the advantages Manchester could realise through early, decisive action to tackle and adapt to climate change and shift to a low carbon economy;

Describes the role of the City of Manchester in a global, national and city- regional context in leading the response to climate change and the specific areas of work Manchester needs to focus on to make early, telling inroads into the city’s carbon footprint; and

Proposes a programme of immediate action to demonstrate across different facets of city life how we can cut our carbon footprint and at the same time sustain and increase prosperity and quality of life for Manchester residents.

Community awareness raising and engagement through the “Proud Of” campaign

Engagement through implementation of the proposed ‘catalytic’ actions

Late 2009: Final Manchester climate change action plan published

4) And finally for now, that Bit About the Airport

(page 11)9. A green Airport.Manchester Airport is one of the principal components of economic growth in Manchester. The City Council’s agrees that global rates of air traffic growth are unsustainable in the long term, but believes that it is not a realistic option for individual airports or cities to suppress their growth unilaterally ahead of international agreements that lead to orderly reductions in overall emissions. Manchester Airport has produced an Environment Plan as part of its Master Plan to 2030 and committed to becoming carbon neutral in its site energy use and ground vehicle operations. The City Council will fully support the Airport to achieve its aims.

MCFly will be published Sundays Jan 11, Jan 25, Feb 8, Feb 22, March 1, 15, 29 and April 12 , when it will stop publishing unless more volunteers come forward.

These email in-between bulletins will be short and to the point

a) Local news (esp council and campaigning group stuff, but also business)b) Upcoming local events (climate related and in the next week only)c) upcoming national/international news stories of interest/importanced) "other stuff" (competitions, future events of note etc)

Please do forward these to whoever you think wants them.

a) Local news

Manchester City Council intends to release its Climate Strategy this Wednesday, 7th January. The strategy will be discussed at a Council Executive meeting on January 14th. More information via www.manchesterclimatefortnightly.blogspot.com as soon as possible.